Taylor "No Snow Delay" Apology Email

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

+1

And come on, these were not dangerous conditions, even up-county.

Just because it wasn't dangerous where you were, doesn't mean it wasn't in other areas. Black ice and other road conditions can be deadly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

Just stop it. You are embarrassing yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

You seem to be forgetting that elementary schools start much later than high schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

+1

And come on, these were not dangerous conditions, even up-county.

Just because it wasn't dangerous where you were, doesn't mean it wasn't in other areas. Black ice and other road conditions can be deadly.

Then the company providing child care could have decided not to open. This should not have been an MCPS decision — which Taylor later acknowledged.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

+1

And come on, these were not dangerous conditions, even up-county.

Just because it wasn't dangerous where you were, doesn't mean it wasn't in other areas. Black ice and other road conditions can be deadly.

It wasn't below freezing. And nowhere close to cold enough for the surfaces of roads to drop below freezing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

+1

And come on, these were not dangerous conditions, even up-county.

Just because it wasn't dangerous where you were, doesn't mean it wasn't in other areas. Black ice and other road conditions can be deadly.

It wasn't below freezing. And nowhere close to cold enough for the surfaces of roads to drop below freezing.

+1 MCPS employees should not get to stay home because it rains. MCPS should not tell private sector employees who want to work to stay home because they provide childcare in MCPS buildings. The rest of us went to work and suffered nothing more than getting a little wet.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Its unsurprising tha dispiriting that so many of MCPScs public communicators are so illiterate that they make things worse by trying to talk about them. We see this all the time in the incoherent spam emails from CO and principals and other officials.

That there are 6 pages of comments trying to understand what Taylor was trying to say in that email is indicative that their communications team is not particularly good

We all know what he was trying to say. He was trying to apologize without accepting responsibility or committing to do better.

I occasionally fantasize about what I would do if I were the communications chief for MCPS. In this fantasy-I would send out actual useful information that help parents to be better partners in their kids' education, and I wouldn't have any typos or incomprehensible English.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

But the HS teachers needed to get there earlier too, they can't just waltz in when the kids show up. Why don't you care about their safety? It's really sad that you only care about the safetly of some workers, did you want your HS students out of the house that badly?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

+1

And come on, these were not dangerous conditions, even up-county.

Just because it wasn't dangerous where you were, doesn't mean it wasn't in other areas. Black ice and other road conditions can be deadly.

If you are concerned about the conditions on your street, please call in rather than taking the risk. It's not worth it. I grew up in a rural part of a county and my parents never expected that school/work closures would always 100% reflect the conditions in our particular spot. My parents knew how to drive in snow/ice and made sure we learned too but if there was an occasional day where it was unsafe to venture out then we stayed home. Use your best judgement and you will be ok!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

Do the math! At 8:30 there are HS teachers in their building ready for students as those students are walking to bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

At 9:30 there were MS teachers already in their building ready to receive students who were walking to school or bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

Lastly, MCPS wasted a lot of our time communicated their color coded system only to NOT even follow their system! Code yellow clearly stated that childcare and morning care may open ON TIME.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

Do the math! At 8:30 there are HS teachers in their building ready for students as those students are walking to bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

At 9:30 there were MS teachers already in their building ready to receive students who were walking to school or bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

Lastly, MCPS wasted a lot of our time communicated their color coded system only to NOT even follow their system! Code yellow clearly stated that childcare and morning care may open ON TIME.

BUt how many of those childcaare workers are reliant on buses that may not have een operating normally? WHat if you had showed up to drop your kid off and there weren't enough workers to meet required ratios?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

Do the math! At 8:30 there are HS teachers in their building ready for students as those students are walking to bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

At 9:30 there were MS teachers already in their building ready to receive students who were walking to school or bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

Lastly, MCPS wasted a lot of our time communicated their color coded system only to NOT even follow their system! Code yellow clearly stated that childcare and morning care may open ON TIME.

That's a good point. What's the point of having a standardized set of scenarios if they don't follow them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

Do the math! At 8:30 there are HS teachers in their building ready for students as those students are walking to bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

At 9:30 there were MS teachers already in their building ready to receive students who were walking to school or bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

Lastly, MCPS wasted a lot of our time communicated their color coded system only to NOT even follow their system! Code yellow clearly stated that childcare and morning care may open ON TIME.

BUt how many of those childcaare workers are reliant on buses that may not have een operating normally? WHat if you had showed up to drop your kid off and there weren't enough workers to meet required ratios?

What buses weren’t operating normally this week?

And regardless that is a call for the provider to make, not MCPS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't think I've ever gotten an apology email from MCPS about anything. Did Taylor get an earful from parents for closing down private before care and doing a delayed start for a bit of rain?

Dear MCPS Families,

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the frustration and disruption caused by this morning’s weather-related delay and the decision to delay the opening of both schools and offices. Making the call to delay or close sometimes means that we are working with late or imperfect information. And like today, this often means that there is disruption and inconvenience that follows when we have to make a call later than we’d like. I am writing to let you know that we take this seriously and that I would like to apologize for today’s disruptions and many inconveniences.

Today’s delay also meant that we canceled morning childcare for some families, where before school care is provided at some of our schools by community partners. This announcement was made in error and should have been a delay. Again, I deeply apologize for the added stress that this caused to an already chaotic morning. We are truly sorry for the confusion.

As always, we leaned heavily into one priority today: the safety of our students and all MCPS staff. The forecast called for the high probability of a wintry mix, including freezing rain, and a bit of snow—and in our area, even small amounts of ice and snow can make early-morning travel dangerous. Many of our employees commute from across the region, including areas where conditions may differ significantly from those in central Montgomery County. In the future, please count on us to continue to make inclement weather calls with safety and an abundance of caution as our top priority.

Going forward, we will work to be clearer about any deviation from our usual operating practices, strive to make decisions earlier when possible, and communicate more directly when something changes from what you typically expect. And as always, we will continue to center safety above all else.

Thank you for your patience with us and we are truly sorry for the disruption.

Sincerely,

Thomas W. Taylor, Ed.D, M.B.A.
Superintendent of Schools

There was ice on roads in communities where teachers live. None of our subs showed up. My coworker was in a three vehicle accident yesterday and didn’t make it to our school until 10:30 AM.

If parents want the schools open on time even if teachers and subs can’t make it at opening, they need to plan to be there to supervise kids.

There is no condition specific to adults who work in schools that makes it harder for those adults to travel to work in winter weather than people who work other places.

Businesses do close or open late due to dangerous conditions. Even my oncologist’s office rescheduled appointments because they value their staff’s safety.

That still wouldn't explain why high schools could start but not child care. We don't care about high school staff and students?

Child care workers would have to get there even earlier. Why cannot you figure it out? You figure it out over the summer, holidays and school breaks? You are ok risking the people who care for your kids lives? Sad. If they get in an accident or die, they cannot take care of your kids and its hard to find child care workers willing to work part time for low pay.

Do the math! At 8:30 there are HS teachers in their building ready for students as those students are walking to bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

At 9:30 there were MS teachers already in their building ready to receive students who were walking to school or bus stops. But morning care wasn’t allowed to open at this time.

Lastly, MCPS wasted a lot of our time communicated their color coded system only to NOT even follow their system! Code yellow clearly stated that childcare and morning care may open ON TIME.

BUt how many of those childcaare workers are reliant on buses that may not have een operating normally? WHat if you had showed up to drop your kid off and there weren't enough workers to meet required ratios?

What buses weren’t operating normally this week?

And regardless that is a call for the provider to make, not MCPS.

+1000